A/N: Story time again! First off, thanks for the reviews! Lionfire 42: I don't drink Red Bull. Hexalys: As intriguing as your suggestion is, I've already got an ending (and a possible sequel) planned. But feel free to use it in a story of you own. I would love to see Airachnid try to seduce Jack.

Chapter 10

It seems as though some force in the universe truly enjoyed torturing June Darby. Just when it seemed like her son had finally come to his, Silas showed up and the nightmare started all over again. Jack stood before, once again Gray Fox, MECH's super soldier. If felt like the pieces of her heart were being grinded into dust as Gray Fox's blade was aimed at Optimus Prime. "Jack please," she made no attempt to hide the anguish in her voice, "I know you're in there."

"Silence woman," the metallic tone of Gray Fox was like knife through her chest, "Jack Darby is dead. I am now and forever will be, Gray Fox, loyal soldier of MECH." "Thatta boy," Silas chuckled. "Jackson," Optimus called, "I have faith in the strength of your will. Beneath MECH's programming is the young human I have witnessed mature well beyond his years these last few months." Gray Fox chuckled, "The time of talk is over. Now let us battle Optimus Prime. Gray Fox took his stance and prepared for a duel to the death.

"Jack, listen to me," Arcee couldn't believe the nightmare unfolding in front her, "You're stonger than this! I know it! I've seen it!" "Silence you infernal machine," he hissed, his gaze never leaving Optimus, "I heard enough of your prattle, time to duel!" If she was human, Arcee would crying as hard as June was. This man, this creature was Jack Darby, the human she called her partner. "I can't give up," she decided, "Jack's still in there. We got through to him once, we can do it again."

Gray Fox stood in wait for the Prime to draw out his weapons, "Draw your weapons now!" "I will not," he replied firmly. "Prime," Ramirez spoke up, "I think you should fight him." All eyes and optics were on the soldier. "Are you crazy?" Miko shouted, "You really expect Optimus to fight Jack?"

"I understand it's hard for him to fight his friend, especially since the kid is being brainwashed, but I remember, a friend of mine reciting an old saying to me." Silas raised an eyebrow, "And what saying would that be?" "In battle, when a friend walks lost," she started, remembering what Monroe said to her, "Sometimes he must cross blades with a comrade to regain a sense of who he is." "And you think if Optimus fights Jack, he might be able to remember?" Raf asked. "It's worth a shot," she shrugged.

"The risk is too great," Optimus rumbled, "I could not live with myself if I intentionally brought harm to one of the humans I'd sworn to protect." They all knew Optimus would sooner offline himself than harm their human charges. "Optimus," June spoke up, her voice still cracking, "If it is truly the only to save Jack, then there's no other choice. Everyone, save for Gray Fox, was now gazing at June in disbelief. "June," Optimus' optics softened at the woman before him.

She had been through in more pain the last twenty four hours than Optimus had seen in the centuries of war against the Decepticons. Now she, of all people, was asking him, telling him to fight her son. "I know you would never seriously harm Jack intentionally," she continued, meeting his gaze, "But all other options have been depleted." "She's right Optimus," Arcee chimed in, "More than anyone, I don't want to see Jack hurt, but if it means freeing him from MECH's control, then we've got no other choice." The others voiced their agreement, save for Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who were still incapacitated.

The Prime closed his eyes, trying to find some answer as to how, no matter how noble his intentions were, everything seemed to go wrong. When he'd first encountered MECH, his first impression of them was that they were "Decepticons in human skin." Now he was certain of it. This is exactly the kind of situation Megatron would put him in. "Very well," Optimus opened his optics, "I will battle you Gray Fox.

"About time," Fox sneered. Rather than his blasters, Optimus drew out his right sword and prepared for what would prove to be his toughest challenge yet, both physically and mentally. Jack Darby, a young man who reminded Optimus of himself before he became a Prime, had been transformed into Gray Fox whose sole purpose was the destruction of all Autobots. Taking his stance, Optimus and Gray Fox circled each other. They were waiting for the other to make the first move.

Luckily for Optimus, he'd been situations similar to this one. He'd been in numerous duels with Megatron over the years, so patience in this type of environment was natural to him. Gray Fox charged at Optimus, leaping into the air. Optimus raised his blade and blocked the attack. The force of Fox's attack pushed him back a little.

"Is that all you got Prime?" Gray Fox mocked the Prime, "If this all you can muster up, it's a miracle you've managed to survive this war of yours." Fox didn't want to admit it, but when they clashed blades just now, a flurry of images of the Prime and a boy who looked like him rushed through his head. "On the contrary," Optimus swung at Fox, full force. Gray Fox dodged the attack, but force of the blow sent him into a wall. June and Arcee flinched as Jack made contact with the wall.

Their discomfort did not go unnoticed by Optimus, "I must remember to keep my strength at bay." Gray Fox charged at Optimus again, this land on the Prime's blade. "You shouldn't think in the middle of a battle," Fox ran up blade, "It leaves you wide open!" Reaching his arm, Gray Fox began slashing up the Prime's limb before slashing his battle mask. A pained grunt escaping his vocal processor, Optimus placed a hand over his wound.

Examining the wound, Optimus failed notice Gray Fox aim for his knees. With another pained grunt, Optimus fell, back first, on to the ground. "Optimus!" Ratchet shouted. "That's what happens when you hold back," Gray Fox landed on the Prime's chest. "Excellent work Gray Fox," Silas called, "Now finish him!" Displaying his inhuman strength yet again, Fox grasped Optimus' chest plate and ripped it open, exposing his spark chamber.

"I hope you've made peace with yourself Prime," Gray Fox lifted his blade, "Because this is where you fall!" Arcee and June gasped, Fowler's just dropped, Miko and Raf had tears in their eyes. And Ratchet looked stunned. "Jack," Optimus looked at the figure before him, "I have faith in your strength of will. I know you can fight MECH's programming." "He's right Jack," Raf called, "You're not some machine. You're stronger than this!"

"He's right Jack," Arcee cried, "You've shown me that no matter the species, bravery is a trait that transcends all. Now show Silas you won't be controlled!" The pain in Fox's head returned, greater than ever. "Gray Fox!" Silas was no longer amused, "Quit stalling and finish it! This is what you were made for!" Gray Fox cried again in agony as he swung his blade, aiming for the spark of Optimus Prime.

Cyber-Ninja

A/N: Sorry if you were disappointed with the fight scene, but I'll try to create a more exciting feel for the next chapter! Next time: The outcome! Has Optimus Prime's spark been extinguished? Or were the Autobots and their human friends able to reach Jack?